ASCE presented the Charles Pankow Award for Innovation to Pile Dynamics Inc.’s Thermal Integrity Profiler at its annual OPAL Gala March 26. The Pankow Award recognizes the introduction of innovative civil engineering ideas into practice. The award was established to celebrate collaboration in innovative design, materials, or construction-related research and development transferred in a sustainable manner.

TIP is an instrument system based on a technology that utilizes the heat generated by curing cem ent (hydration energy) to evaluate the integrity of cast-in-place concrete foundations such as drilled shafts, bored piles, micropiles, augered cast-in-place, continuous flight auger piles, and drilled displacement piles. The technology may also be used to evaluate the shape of jet grouting columns, soil nails, and diaphragm or slurry walls, in addition to other concrete structures.

“While it is the goal of engineers and researchers to produce prolific findings, there are plenty of great ideas that never see the light of day. In this case, teaming with specialty engineers, progressive government agencies, and manufacturers was the ticket to shortening the road significantly,” said Gray Mullins of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of South Florida. “I would like to thank ASCE for the recognition that has brought me here. I am honored to be accepting this distinguished award on behalf of a great team.”